Teens created a 70’s inspired event focusing on Peace, Unity & Edutainment

Teens created a 70’s inspired event focusing on Peace, Unity & Edutainment

F.U.S.E Teen Fest empowered young people to make healthy choices

The non-profit organization TWP (Teens With a Purpose) -The Youth Movement had their 16^th annual teen event on September 14th in downtown Norfolk at the Vivian C Mason Teen Center with over 150 guests in attendance. This annual teen event was created by teens and for teens, as is the tradition, each year TWP tackles the most important issues or challenges youth face and address them head on. In previous years there were retreats, forums and theatrical productions. This year’s event marks their first ever, teen festival F.U.S.E., focusing on peace, unity, spirit and edutainment. The F.U.S.E. Teen Fest is a 70’s inspired community festival that will included workshops like STAND UP! a interactive youth-led workshop that provides practical steps young people can take to help effect positive change in their communities, led by campers from TWP’s Teen peer-led camp - Camp Inspired; WEB BRUISING a cyber bullying and web spying workshop hosted by City of Norfolk Youth Council, POWER OF POETRY facilitated by Hampton Roads Youth Poets and Baltimore Citywide Youth Poets and COME TOGETHER a workshop for parents designed to improve communication between adults and teens facilitated by Life Coach volunteer LaShandra Walker and Sabrina Watson of YouthMax.

Guest who participated in workshops, were treated to healthy local food by Five Points Farmers Market and salad using vegetables and herbs from TWP's garden on-site. The second half of the event focused on entertainment and was hosted by the new Face of Fox 43 Andria Lea and TWP member Paige Robinson. Teens experienced amazing, original music and positive music by TWP's music division Music Made Simple (MMS) and soul piercing spoken word poetry written and performed by this generation’s bravest new voices Hampton Roads Youth Poets (HRYP). The night also included a very groovy fashion show with 70’s inspired fashions. No Fine Print Clothing Collection sponsored the fashion show and also created a custom t-shirt line for Teens With a Purpose.

Special guests included Baltimore City Youth Poets who also took the stage by storm with thought provoking poetry pieces. SolStice Reb’L is a local band which features Richard Andre Love, Program Coordinator of Teens With a Purpose. They have recently participated in American Battle a national competition for bands. Local celebrity, music artist, model and fashion designer K’Bana Blaq also performed on the Main Stage at F.U.S.E.

The members of Teens With a Purpose are known for their unique approach to empowering young people to use their voice, talent and power for personal and social change. There were fun stations to compliment the workshops and edutainment. There was a face painting station, Graffiti Art & B-Boy station where a live mural of PEACE was created and youth learned how to spin turntables. Live art was also produced by local visual artist Jade Andwele captured the energy of the festival which will be available at the 2013 TWP Gala silent auction on November 1st. There was also a physical games and activity station, TWP Olympics, where youth were able to shoot hoops, hula-hoop and dance.

COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS: City of Norfolk Recreation, Parks & Open Space, GEICO, Garden of Hope, NSU, She’Matters, Boys & Girls Club, Buttarcup Paints, No Fine Printing Clothing, City of Norfolk Youth Council, Leggwork Photography, Leadership & Sales Academy

TWP ACTIVISTS MARCH AT AIDS CONFERENCE 2012

  Teens With a Purpose joined thousands of Medical professionals, policy makers, and advocates for those living with HIV/AIDS at the 19th  International AIDS Conference to “Turn Back the Tide of the Epidemic.” They hailed in from from more than 180 countries, making it the largest AIDS conference in the world and assembled in Washington, D.C., for a week of speeches, symposiums, exhibits and more.

A group of Teens With a Purpose youth activists joined the march led by TWP Mentor, Andrea Castleberry. Teens With a Purpose has been at the forefront of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Awareness since 1996. TWP uses creative & evidence-based methods to spread the message including Peer education, Spoken Word, Drama, Dance and Original Music inspired by Role Model Stories. Role Model Stories are stories that have been collected from real teens in Hampton Roads. The primary purpose of the role model stories is to model risk-reducing behaviors, suggest solutions to risky situations, and illustrate positive outcomes of taking steps toward protecting oneself. Last fall, Teens With a Purpose hosted their first full theatrical production titled “Imagine Me”. The event was held at the Crispus Attucks Theatre and included break-out sessions and workshops. The production was well received and included over 300 guests. This theatrical event, written, produced and featuring local Teens, raised awareness so Youth can better understand the consequences of their actions thus reducing their risk for: HIV/STI, Dating Abuse, Bullying, Suicide and Dropouts. To view our current Role Model Stories click here.

Teens With a Purpose work is imperative, the numbers are alarming, according to the CDC In 2009, young persons accounted for 39% of all new HIV infections in the US and young blacks accounted for 65% (5,404) of diagnoses of HIV infection reported among persons aged 13-24 years. TWP is committed to finding new and innovative ways to educate young people on how to protect themselves from HIV infection.